Former first-round pick McJones progressed to being the third-string quarterback after three years and started his debut season with the San Francisco 49ers as a backup to the now-gone starter. This decline is disappointing for a player once viewed as the future quarterback when the New England Patriots drafted him from Alabama in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft. However, Jones is not the first quarterback to rebound and succeed if given the right chance.
His initial opportunity to move forward came last season when he was sidelined behind an injured Trevor Lawrence with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Despite early interceptions hampering his progress, the 49ers saw enough of his potential over seven games to consider investing in him.
“He has many qualities desirable in a starting quarterback,” said 49ers offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak to ESPN. “He’s been inconsistent over the past few years, but I saw the same talent in him in Jacksonville that excited me back in college.”
Jones’s experience as a starter, lasting around three and a half seasons, has been mixed. He began his career strong, earning a Pro Bowl nod as a rookie, but has struggled to regain that form. He lost his starting job in New England and only landed in Jacksonville as a backup due to injuries.
There was skepticism about Jones’s potential after being picked 15th overall in 2021. Critics questioned his physical abilities and whether his success at Alabama was more a product of the system and team around him than his own talent.
At his peak, Jones threw for 3,801 yards with 22 touchdowns and 13 interceptions in a promising rookie year. At his lowest, he threw more interceptions (12) than touchdowns (10), coinciding with the Patriots’ decline.
The 49ers might be the perfect place for Jones to rejuvenate his career. The team has shown faith in his potential and has a track record of transforming unexpected players like Brock Purdy into top quarterbacks despite modest draft expectations.
“The world works in mysterious ways,” Jones said. “It’s great to be back here to learn from a great group of players and coaches as you continue progressing.”
Fan Take: This story is significant for NFL fans because it shows that second chances can reshape a player’s career, even for those who initially struggled under high expectations. If Jones can develop with the 49ers, it might inspire more teams to invest in quarterbacks with untapped potential rather than writing them off early.
